Name: Per:
PROTEST MUSIC ANALYSIS
Part I Directions: For each of the following songs, answer the five questions below:
- What is the big idea of the song?
- Provide evidence (words, phrases) that support the big idea/meaning of the song.
- Who do you think is the intended audience? Explain why.
- From which point of view (perspective) is this song written? Defend your answer.
- List one unanswered question you have in response to this song.
I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag
- Big idea:
- Evidence:
- Audience:
- POV:
- Question:
Fortunate Son
- Big idea:
- Evidence:
- Audience:
- POV:
- Question:
Happy X-Mas (War is Over)
- Big idea:
- Evidence:
- Audience:
- POV:
- Question:
The Unknown Soldier
- Big idea:
- Evidence:
- Audience:
- POV:
- Question:
Search & Destroy
- Big idea:
- Evidence:
- Audience:
- POV:
- Question:
Part II Directions: Find another protest song (not one we’ve previously discussed) & analyze it. You may pick from the list or find one of your own. It should relate to protesting war (it doesn’t not have to be specific to Vietnam).
- You need to either print out or write the lyrics on a separate piece of paper (*attach it to this paper). Use highlighting, underlining, notes off to the side in your analysis of the lyrics.
- At the end of your analysis, answer the same five questions.
Optional Songs: “Blowin’ in the Wind” Bob Dylan; “Born in the USA” Bruce Springsteen; “For What It’s Worth” Buffalo Springfield; “War, What is it Good For” Edwin Starr; “Ohio” Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; “Give Peace a Chance” John Lennon; “Eve of Destruction” Barry McGuire & PF Sloan; “Orange Crush” R.E.M.; “Imagine” John Lennon; “We Didn’t Start the Fire” Billy Joel
Song title: Musician/Band:
- Big idea:
- Evidence:
- Audience:
- POV:
- Question:
*Don’t forget to attach the lyrics with highlighting, underlining, & notes off to the side with your analysis
Part III Directions: Use your textbook pgs 650 – 655 to answer the questions below:
- Define: a. Countercultureb. The Establishment
- What factors led to the rise of the counterculture?
- How did the counterculture manifest itself on college campuses?
- Describe life in the counterculture
- How did mainstream American society react to the hippies/counterculture?
- In what ways did the counterculture affect American attitudes?
- What was Woodstock?